http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=474388

These directions are for an '87, but they should be very similar for all L98's, based on Bac22's pictures, LT-1/4's should not have an issue with this.

On the right side of the engine bay, up against the wheel well, you'll see two 3/8 inch steel hard-lines. These are your fuel lines, one is a feed line and the other is a return line.

What you need to do is follow these lines forward, they will dive inwards, in front of your exhaust manifold, when they'll be crimped onto two rubber lines that allow the engine to move without bending/stressing the metal lines. These rubber lines travel below the lower radiator hose, where they turn around, and head up between the Air Conditioning bracket, back into a hard-line, and then into the fuel rail.

The rubber hose may become overheated and bubble and bulge. I've only seen it on one car, but I've heard of it on a few others. It is important to check these every once in a while to make sure they are not going to fail. If there is an abnormality, most NAPA's, or a John Deere or JCB or similar shop can replace the rubber line, although I don't know their prices. If you are proficient in A/N fittings, you could also make your own.

I'll try and come up with a picture of the location. Its important that you check this, as a failure could easily result in a fire.

:seeya


[Modified by NoWorries, 8:59 PM 1/18/2003]

 

I wrote up an article on how to change the fuel filter on an LT1/4. Not sure if it has the pictures you are looking for.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/bac522/technical.htm

 

Thanks. :) It didn't have the picture I needed, but it does show that LT-1/4's are completely different than L-98's. I was trying to think back to every LT-1 I've ever seen, and I couldn't remember the fuel system at all.

This post only applies to L-98's, I guess.

:cheers: I looks like the LT-1 fuel lines stay far away from the exhaust. :cool:

 

This forum has had posts of fires due to this failure a couple of times since 1999. Further bad news is last time I checked the lines are out of production. I grabbed the last two in stock at TLD.

Further bad news is the lines have the same flex sections over the rear end as well.

I need to get the lines in, will check again this spring, last year they looked fine.

Pete

 

Think he may have stuck an intake valve and that started the fire.


[Modified by PeteL, 11:12 PM 1/18/2003]

 

I have the engine out of my L98 86 and would be happen to email a picture of the lines to someone who can post it. If I remember correctly, I read somewhere that the flex part of the line is a flouroelastomer, not just your garden variety Napa or John Deere hose. With the tight bend that it makes you need a hose with pretty good hoop strength so it doesn't close off. I've talked to a couple of companies that make fuel lines for Top Fuel engines and will probably try and use some of that material. XRP was one of the vendors. Doesn't take much, but ya gotta have it.

 

Hey Joe, I'd be happy to host them. :cheers: noworries@454ss.com

I went out to try to get some shots, but I didn't have a lot of luck. You can still see my little plug wire fiasco showing, I haven't fixed that yet, I haven't driven the car, trying to get my sisters car(s) going. I've highlighted a few things so you know what you're looking at.




PeteL, I can't account for that hole in the runner, It seems like it might have come from internal, but where it would have burned throught should be been slightly lower, I think. That leads me to believe that it was external and that hole was just a hot spot. But I really don't know.

 

Ya know what?

Now that I look at that picture again; the hoses from the AC are totally gone, vaporised. That hole in the runner is clean, not melted at all - no carbon on it either.

SMC (fiberglass) hood, has been all riped clean - no melting.

So, bet you are right. Could the hole be a pick mark from our friendly local fire dept? That's my bet!

Source from the fuel line in front with all the damage.

 

I didn't even think of it that way. My logic was that a constant intake back-fire would heat the runner at the first curve, which would be about an inch lower than where that hole is. I like your logic better. :)

Here's Joe's picture, I had some problems getting it uploaded, the rubber line is circled:

 

Back to the top, one more time

 

I scuffed my metal fuel line when putting my header. I sent Classic tube my front lines to have them made 2 years ago, the fuel line fit 86 and 87 convertibles.

 

When I did my rebuild, these rubber fuel lines were an obvious, eventual failure point. I cut the lines, had a shop flare the ends for AN fittings, and built up some braided fuel lines to replace the rubber section. The only issue I had with them was that they weren't quite as flexible and you want to guard any surrounding fluid lines against abrasion from the braided line. The braiding will saw through anything in time.